Improved combined desk and work-table



UNITED STATES PATENT Ormea.

JOSEPH TREVOR, OF LOOKPORT, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED COMBINED DESK AND WORK-TABLE.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 47,05, dated March 28, 1865.

To @ZZ whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH TaEvoR., of Lockport, in the county of Niagara and State of New York, have invented a new and lmproved Combined Writing-Desk and Work- Table, and l do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the aceompanyin g drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved apparatus as extended to form a desk. Fig. 2 is a like view of it as closed up, when not required for use.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in both of the figures.

1t is the object of my invention to produce a piece of furniture which is easily convertible into a writing table or desk, and at the same time answers as a ladies7 work-table by simply elevating` the top, and which is light and portable and capable of being folded into a small compass and of still standing erect, so as to occupy but little space against a side of the room.

lt consists, as represented in the drawings, of two pairs of cross legs or frames, A A, each pair being connected together by the cross pieces or rounds, b b, at the top and bottom, and with a similar one, c, at or about the middle thereof, which passes through both pairs of legs or is connected therewith by a pin, tenon, or bolt at each end, which serves as a pivot or axis on which the legs turn. The legs A rise a little higher at the top than the opposite pair, and are provided with a crosspiece, D, which consists preferably of a bar or slat, D, of sufficient width to cover over the ends of A A and rest on them in a level or horizontal position. It is fastened to the legs A A by pins or screws, which serve as a pivot, on which it is readily turned. To the front edge of this strip D the table-top E is hinged in the manner of a fall-leaf,77 so as to be capable of hanging vertically or resting horizon- .tally when properly supported. In the latter position, as shown in Fig. l, the legs are spread apart on their axis, so that the pairA vA sustain the front edge of the top E, which is thus placed on a horizontal line with the slat D, and the two together forni the top of the writing desk or table. As representedin Fig. 2, the legs are closed together, or nearly so, in which position the slat D only is hori- -zontal and the top E hangs perpendicularly. The legs curve outwardly at the feet sutlciently to fall outside of the center of gravity, so that when closed up it can not fall over. Between the upper part of the legs a bag or pocket, G, is provided, which expands with the frame when opened and contracts with it when closed together, but not so much but it still has a capacity for holding the. ordinary materials of a ladys work-basket. This bag, which may be made of leather, cloth, indial rubber, or other similar material, or of thin board sides with flexible ends, like a bellows, and provided with as many pockets or divisions as fancy may contrive or convenience require, becomes accessible by the simple operation of raising the top E, (as represented in red lines in Fig.2,) which may be self-sustaining or may rest against the wall of the room. In this form it becomes a simple work-table with a cover, which protects the contents of the work-basket from observation or exposure to the dust or accident by closing it when not in use.

As an article of furniture it is capable of being made as ornamental as desired, while its construction is so simple that, if plain, it may be cheaply made., and its double usethat of a convenient table or desk or concealed and protected receptable for ladies work-make it an article of furniture novel and desirable, particularly in a ladys apartment. The bag G may be made to consist of a series of portfolios for containing engravings or drawings, and the expanded table used to lay them upon for examination, and thus it becomes a useful and convenient appendage to the furniture of a library.

What l claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, as a new article of manufacture, is- A convertible desk and work-table, consisting of the pivoted cross-frames A A', falling top E, pivoted slat D, and iiexible bag G, arranged and combined substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH TREVOR. Witnesses W. W. Tanvon. J. FRAsER. 

